MINNEAPOLIS -- Brian Dozier's three-run homer in the fifth inning put Minnesota ahead for good, and Samuel Deduno tossed six sharp innings for his first win as the Twins beat the Seattle Mariners 4-3 on Saturday night.

With Minnesota trailing 2-1, Dozier followed consecutive singles by Aaron Hicks and Eduardo Escobar by sending a curveball from Roenis Elias (3-3) into the seats in left field. It was Dozier's 11th homer of the season.

Michael Saunders had a homer and two RBIs for Seattle.

Deduno (1-2) struck out four, allowed two hits and retired 18 of the 23 batters he faced. Both of Seattle's runs off Deduno came in the third inning after James Jones' triple scored Brad Miller. Jones scored on Saunders' sacrifice fly to give the Mariners a one-run lead.

But Deduno was otherwise solid, working efficiently through Seattle's lineup over the next three innings while Elias struggled with his control. Elias allowed six hits and one walk in seven innings, but he also hit a batter, and had a wild pitch and a balk in the second inning.

Seattle pulled to 4-3 in the eighth when Saunders hit a solo homer off Jared Burton. Corey Hart doubled two batters later, but Burton got Kyle Seager swinging to end the threat. Glen Perkins worked the ninth for his 12th save in 14 chances.

Game notes

--Manager Lloyd McClendon decided to skip RHP Brandon Maurer's turn in the rotation for Seattle's upcoming two-game series at Texas. Maurer (1-2) has a 6.00 ERA.

--LHP James Paxton (strained back) threw a two-inning simulated game Saturday, and Tijuan Walker (shoulder) threw a bullpen session. Both players may throw more simulated games in Texas.

--Twins bench coach Terry Steinbach missed the game to attend his son's college graduation in Duluth. . Mariners CF James Jones has recorded a hit in all nine of his starts.

--Minnesota goes for the series sweep on Sunday when RHP Ricky Nolasco (2-3) faces Mariners RHP Felix Hernandez (4-1) who is 6-5 in 15 career starts versus the Twins.